The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-12-14
EDGAR PoE's THE BELLS"

The Story of How That Errattc Genius
Penn, One of His Best Poems.
lam Arbor (Niich.) Correspondence Boston
Transcript
Mr.. John s. Hart, the writer, some years
ago, In letter to the New York Tribune,
made the statement that the song OF "The
Bells" was first published in Sartain's Mag
azine, a Philadelphia monthly, for Novem-
Der, 1S49 AT the period mentioned, Mr..
Hart was editor of the periodical in ones
ton. The poem was left in his hands for
publication several months previously, and
at the time consisted OF only the following
stsnzas:
The bellsl-hear the beIlsl
The merry wedding bellsl
How fairy-like melody there swells
From the silvery tinkling cells
OF the Observation-Disclosures
OF the bellsl
The bells-ah the bellsl
The heavy iron bells!
Hear the tolling of the bells
Hear the knelsl
How horrible melody there floats
From their throats-
From their deep-toued throatsl
How shudder at the notes
From the melancholy threats
OF the bells-bells-bells,
Of the bells
Certainly Mr.. Harris account OF the first
appearance of this famous song is entitled
to much consideration; bat long before his
story was made known TO the world, the
following history of the first appearance of
this-as it now stands-mssterpiece of the
gifted Poe / read in an old newspaper
which fell into my hands, and l take
pleasure in giving the narrative to the read
er as l recall il after the lapse of many
years. 1t was during the early portion of
November, 1919. / think, that young
lawyer, who had but recently begun the
practice of his profession in Baltimore, was
sitting late one evening before his cheerful
lire in his Office. indulging in a deep rev.
erie, when he was suddenly aroused from
dreamland by loud knock at his outer
door. He called to his colored servant boy,
who was doing on low stool in the
chimney corner, and sent him to answer
the call from without. In few moments
the boy returned, saying there was no one
at the door when be opened IL, but in the
moonlight he saw gentleman standing in
the middle OF the street. all alone, who
appeared to be talking to himself, while at
the same time he was wildly gssticulating
with his arms The young lawyer arose,
and, followed by the boy, went to the
door. AS he opened il aud looked out, he
observed gentleman standing on the side
walk. whose attention was at once turned
toward him.
did you knock at my dcor7' inquired
the lawyer addressing the stranger.
Eyes, sir" was the latter's reply, in a
pleasant tone. land trust you viii par
don me for disturbing you at so late an
hour. / should not have done so had not
some thoughts come to me as L was passing
along, which | very much desired to put
On paper. Observing your light ventured
to Knock at your door to obtain permission
to enter your office, where 1 might, through
your kindness, be allowed rome paper on
which to ioL down Whist was psssing in my
mind"
Certainly, you are at liberty to walk
IN and make yourself at home" said the
lawyer,
The stranger followed the latter to hts
room, and the lawyer, placing some writ
ing material at his disposal, at the same
time Offering him seat at the table, re-
marked that he would retire to his private
apartment for the night, but he (the
strangely was very welcome to remain as
long as he chose, and, should he desire
anything further, his servant would wait
upon him. And, bidding the stranger
good night, he passed to tn adjoining
room.
A few moments after the negro boy
dropped down on bis bunk in corner of
the room, and in a short time was fast
asleep. The stranger, sitting quietly at
the table, wrote on and on, until at length,
grown weary, he too, laying down his pen
and bowling his head upon the table, fell
into deep slumber. Early the next
morning the lawyer awoke, and his first
thought being of the stranger, he hastily
dressed himself and opened the door
leading to his Office where, to his great
establishment he beheld his guest OF the
previous night still sitting where he had
left him hours before, his head resting on
the table and he fast asleep. But the
the door awakened the stranger, who
quickly rising, apologized most profusely
for remaining so long, remarking that,
being greatly fatlgued the previous night,
he had unintentionaly fallen asleep. His
friend would pardon him, and extending
his hand to the lawyer, he turned to go.
But you have neglected to take what
you have been writing about" said the
lawyer, stepping forward to the table and
taking up several sheets OF paper covered
with beautiful chirography.
"Oh, no, sir," returned the stranger. 81
have left that for you in token OF your
great kindness to me. have a copy oil
what / have written. Good morning."
The lawyer examined the contribution
which the unknown gentleman had left,
and found 1t to be lyric ofmost captivat
ing beauty and power, entitled simply
The Bells" But his surprise was deep
ened when, at the close OF the singular
poem, he read the authors name-Edgal
Allen Poe.